"Thank you," Lilley accepts her weapon from Kenji a bit gruffly, still feeling awkward over the earlier heated confrontation.
Returning to the others, Stirgen puts the bag of jewelry into whatever serves for a pocket on the muderesses' dress. He then looks to the others, keen to rid himself of the mostly dead burden.
"He can no longer tell us how to find the stairs," Lilley sighs unhappily, avoiding Esme's accusing eyes, "and she undoubtedly will not. Nor will she willingly walk to her death. One of us must carry the dwarf and ...," she hesitates with an uncomfortable glance at the murdered necroalchemist, "ought we not to carry his body up to the Pharasmins as well?"
I.would agree, but we may see more combat yet. A stairwell is crowded enough.with an unnlconscious ally and a prisoner without adding an extra body to encumber ourselves. The Pharasmaran clerics will see to him.
When the idea of Esme being carried is presented, she adamantly shakes her head no. She points her head to the hallway to south.
Bastarger heads down the hallway to the south and finds the staircase the alchemist mentioned. The staircase fills this small chamber, curving up in a spiral to disappear through the ceiling.
Stirgen shoulders the small, unconscious dwarf. Esme, following the lead of the others, makes her way with the group.
The stairway curves upward for 60 or feet, ending abruptly at a simple stone landing and a door with a large wooden handle. Lilley pulls the door open and bows over to walk through. The group finds itself back in one of the finely appointed portions of the crypt. There are no priests in the immediate area, but it only takes a few moments to locate one.
The priest - a human female with bright red hair - is startled to say the least to see the group approaching. But she looks as if she will faint when she sees Esme bound, but walking freely. "Are you the group we sent into the Ossuary?! How'd you lot get out?" she asks. "Which of you are responsible for raising or controlling...this?" indicating Esme.
"It is not a this; it is a she," Lilley growls a little dangerously, loosening Esme's gag so she can demonstrate her sentience. The Pharasmins may yet end her, but they will not treat her like the Twice-Born cattle in Ankar-Te. "How she came to be we do not know, but it was her husband responsible for stealing the blessed dead, through a door back there." She points back the way we came. "He is dead, below."
"Rather than tell the story twice, perhaps you can direct us to Valanthe Nerissia? It was she who sent us below, and we need to have words immediately"
Esme remains silent when Lilley lowers her gag.
The woman looks indignant for a brief second at Stirgen's words before nodding her head and indicating that you should follow her.
A few moments later, you reach the entrance to the crypt and see Valanthe. She smiles widely and moves to greet. "Welcome back!" she says, happily. As she gets close, her eyes lock on Esme and her expression changes considerably. "What is the meaning of this?" she asks quickly. "Why have you captured an undead and bound it?!" She then sees Rhen in Stirgen's arms. Her expressions softens and she orders a couple of nearby priests to take him and treat his wounds. As they walk over, she says, "Please, tell me what happened in the Ossuary." She points a small chamber where you can sit and have more privacy.
It would not co-operate and Lilley and some of the others seemed insistent on keeping it alive. Bastarger answered wearily, apparently not understanding her sentience or reluctant to acknowledge it.
Stirgen yields Rhen to the Pharasmin priests before taking a seat where he is bade to. Ignoring Esme for the moment, Stirgen explains "We have found the man who was stealing corpses... he was a necromancer of sorts and we had to put down some of his creations before subduing him. We found that he had this" indicating whatever Esme actually is "held what seemed to be captive. She abused our trust of her innocence and coldly murdered the necromancer where he lay bound."
"That is accurate, Madam Valanthe. But this one is sentient. The necromancer was somehow able to allow her to keep her mind. I must say, I've never encountered one such as her."
"They were husband and wife. Apparently, when they married, she was not ... as she is now," Lilley falters, giving Esme an unsure glance, wishing she would explain herself. "They both surrendered. The husband was willing to face your justice, but Esme... thought her way was kinder...." She trails off unhappily.
She slit his throat.
Kenji's tone is matter of fact and certainly not forgiving.
The man also had many journals on his work and begged I continue thier study. I have no interest in necromancy but would ask the volumes be studied by your own scholars. Some good at least may come from Knowing how he made his creations-if only to combat them. Undead are a violation of nature but the secrets of thier creation can leed to knowing how to undo them. I can think of no better people to secure the works than Pharasmans.
Valanthe's face is a mixture of shock and disbelief. "This...she...is sentient? She's sentient? What is the meaning of this?!" she says. But when Lilley mentions Esme's name - her eyes go wide and her hands move to cover her mouth. Her face remains still as Lilley and Kenji describe how she killed Svillenius and then she speaks, directly to Esme.
"Esme? Why, Esme? What have you done?!" Valanthe asks. "You...you have changed since we last met."
Esme's eyes remain cold and her voice is flat and passionless as she says, "There was nothing you could do for me. You said so yourself, remember? 'My disease - my curse - would kill me. That I should embrace the death that was mine to own.' I was not satisfied with that. I knew there was a way. Svillenius found a way. I am not as I was when last you saw me. I am not cured of my disease, but I am reborn."
Valanthe is clearly shocked by this turn of events. She takes a seat and puts her head in her hands. She remains silent for a few seconds before lifting her head and calling two names - moments later two sturdy looking clerics enter. "Please, take Esme - the bound...woman - and lock her in a viewing chamber. We will consult with Delana Karaheis in the morning."
The two men grab Esme and move to take her out of the room.
Valanthe, her face now a mixture of sadness, anger and weariness, says, "So is that it then? Any other surprises in store? If not, would you care to share anything else about your adventure? Did you clear out the rest of the Ossuary, as well? Or, would you perhaps be interested in hearing what I know of Esme?"
The Ossuary is not cleared. We were put at a decided tactical advantage when our scout fell. We elected to bring our wounded to safety since the necromancer had been discovered and put down. Perhaps when we have rested and regrouped we might better prepare ourselves. I admit, I was given.this task at the last minute and did not have ideal spells prepared for fighting so many undead. Also you should be aware there is some sort of reversal chamber down there. With the exception of Lilley, our hearts now beat on the right hand side of our chests.
Chatterbeak hops up and down, Arrk, job done. Yes it is. Rewards now. Yes. Chatterbeak wants a new house. Master promised Chatterbeak a house when we were paid. Yes he did. Arrk!
Patience, my friend. I will buy you a large hutch with a shiny mirror soon
"I would love to hear the tale of Esme. It sounds fascinating."
"For mine I do not care.. I will not see the murderer humanized"
Lilley twitches in her chair as Esme is led away, much as she had when Stirgen gagged her below, but realizes she is in no position to object. "You knew her... and gave her no hope or counsel but to die willingly?" she asks the priestess with a touch of resentment in her voice. "Did you not know that anyone who loved her would never accept such wisdom?" At Stirgen's flat dismissal of Esme -- and the caustic tone with which he labels her for her crime -- she flinches as if struck but does not look away from Valanthe, waiting for the zombie's tale.
Kenji remains standing and merely nods. He would listen.
Although Bastarger said nothing, his stance was clear from his body language- he felt the same way as Stirgen and grunted agreement, the sound echoing in his helm.
Valanthe nods, but appears to be slightly annoyed that the Ossuary isn't cleared. "I understand - do you intend to return to finish the work after you have rested and recruited? And what do you mean that you're reversed? Are you trying to have a laugh?"
Valanthe clears her throat, not waiting for a respone before telling Esme's story.
A native of Korvosa, Esme was afflicted with a magical wasting disease that rotted her flesh and gave her the appearance of a decomposing corpse, even though she yet lived. Doctors and priests alike were unable to cure the disease, and gave Esme less than a year to live.
At her wits’ end, Esme turned to the study of necromancy in hopes of preserving her life, and she had shared with Valanthe that she came to to Kaer Maga to consult with the necromancers of the Ankar-Te district. Unfortunately, upon her arrival there, Esme soon realized that she had neither the time to advance her studies to the point where she could save herself, nor the money to pay for some magical necromantic cure or solution. Unwilling to simply be reanimated as a mindless undead creature upon her death, Esme resigned herself to her fate, knowing all she could do was work in Ankar-Te’s disturbing White Lady brothel until the disease finally claimed her life.
It was there that Esme met Svilennius Tripe, a priest who was recently banished from the church of Pharasma, due to his heretical ideas. In Esme he found both a muse and a project - her strange infection fascinated and inspired him, and her wasted body was a canvas upon which he could create his life’s work.
Esme came back to the church to ask about the nature of Svillenius' exile. That was when Valanthe met with her and told her this tale. Valanthe told Esme not to go down the path Svillenius was taking her, that she should instead embrace the death that was hers rather than accept the life of undeath Svillenius was bound to offer.
"In hindsight, I think she was only here to scope out the Cathedral and Ossuary," Valanthe says. "She asked to be taken down to the Ossuary to see where she would be laid. I thought it was a beautiful acceptance of her fate. Now it appears it was part of her plan."
"That was the last I had seen her until today. And that was at least two years - maybe three - years ago." Valanthe's voice is heavy with sorrow. "Delana will have to decide what happens to her now."
Valanthe withdraws a pouch from the folds of her cloak and hands it to Bastarger. "Here is your group's payment for dealing with the theft issue - I am certain Svillenius was responsible. You may take as much time as you need before returning to the Ossuary to clear it out, but please let me know if you decide to pass on this task so we can enlist the service of others."
I would that we recouped and prepared at least a day. If we are to return at all that is. I will defer to the others here.
"And I have the man's formulae book to discipher. There may be some useful spells in here..
If my family's debt remains to be paid, I will venture once more into the Ossuary Bastarger declared, before dividing the reward amongst his allies. Thank you for the gold, madam. Stirgen, remind me, did we find anything else the church might be interested in down there?
Stirgen withdraws the bone wand they found and proffers it "Well there was this."
To the thoughts of heading below "I would be willing to finish plumbing the depths below, though can wait a day if Kenji needs to rest" raising a eyebrow.
It would be preferable, Stirgen. Unlike your mighty swings, I only have so many castings perday. It would also let me tailor my selection more for undead.
Kenji dips a bow at the half-orc
Valanthe examines the wand and hands it back. "You should keep it. We have spells for dealing with the undead. This wand should damage any undead you face."
When you are ready to leave, Valanthe will escort back up to the cathedral and see you out.
"Fascinating, yet, sorrowful. How I wish things would have turned out differently."
"I would be more than interested into seeing what other wonders the Ossuary holds. And I thank you as well, Madam Valanthe." He nods in thanks. "So when should we meet back here?"
Whenever you are ready. I'll be at my father's blacksmith- and the more time between now and our next delve the longer I have to work on some new weapon designs. Take as long as you need, as far as I am concerned.
One day should be sufficient.
As the group makes to go their separate ways, Stirgen lingers and seeks Lilley's ear "Milady Lilley, we spoke of the Lycaeum before when we were below..." emotions crossing his ugly face as the travails they faced flashed across his face "I will be returning there to rest... but would you accompany me first to the Temple of the Rose?"
Valanthe nods, but appears to be slightly annoyed that the Ossuary isn't cleared. "I understand - do you intend to return to finish the work after you have rested and recruited? And what do you mean that you're reversed? Are you trying to have a laugh?"
"It is true, priestess," Lilley insists. "There was a mirrored room they all went in, and then the door shut and they came out of another room across the hall, all reversed. I thought their tongues had been scrambled as well; I could not understand them...." She trails off uncertainly before returning to her main point. "Ask your clerics who are tending to the dwarf if his heart does not beat on the wrong side of his chest."
Her eyes flash with indignation at parts of the tale Valanthe tells of Esme, particularly the cleric's macabre rhapsody over the young woman asking to see the slab where her body would rot away. "May I ask you something?" she queries quietly when the story is finished. "If we had brought Svilennius back alive, what would his fate have been?"
As the group makes to go their separate ways, Stirgen lingers and seeks Lilley's ear "Milady Lilley, we spoke of the Lycaeum before when we were below..." emotions crossing his ugly face as the travails they faced flashed across his face "I will be returning there to rest... but would you accompany me first to the Temple of the Rose?"
Lilley hesitates, her hand going subconsciously to the ring strung around her neck. "I... have long wished to see a temple devoted to Shelyn," she admits. "I always imagined them to be full of sunlight and birdsong. Where I came from, there was but one temple, and it was Erastil's. As such, it was ... practical, but not beautiful."
I will rejoin you all tomorrow then.
And the mage was off.
"So much to do...
First thing, Kenji finds the closest safe accomodation he can and catches his rest.
Waking late in the morning, he can feel the influence of his blood has resurfaced again.
His nails were noticeably longer and his dreams had been a conflicting picture of conquest, destruction and violence. The most noticeable change for him was the light. Everything seemed so brightly lit that is botherd his eyes. He looked around for Chatterbeak and felt the bird within for some reason. Somehow feeling and Urge to take of his shirt he found a Varisian Stylized Raven on his chest above the Smaller Varisian tattoo he'd gotten on his journey here with the gypsy caravan. Awaken, my familiar.. Quickly the tatoo was given life as the Bird magically rouse out from underneath his masters skin. Apparently his study of Thassilonian evocation magic was paying off. Well, it seems you have your shelter, as it were.
Then to the college to report his task for the pharasmans had netted results and that they further wished the place cleared.
While there he purchased a scroll of protection from evil, another of burning hands (to be copied to his spellbook) and one of mount, one of magic missile. Then he returned to his room to update his spellbook and ready his castings for the day. And figure out what that wand did?
He returned late that afternoon. Ready.
Stirgen notices Lilley's unconscious gesture but makes no mention of it. He extends a hooked arm so that he might escort her onwards as a gentlemen is want to do of a lady and speaks "Please allow me... it is still dark, but if we make haste we should be at the Lycaeum in time for the Chorus of the Dawn."
Lilley blinks at Stirgen's proffered arm a moment before sliding a gauntleted hand around his bicep in a practiced manner. "It seems a lifetime since a gentleman has offered me his arm," she chuckles, "though I am hardly a dainty companion, clanking around in banded armor."
Stirgen smiles as his arm is taken and they begin to walk towards the Lycaeum "I can promise the arm, but I do not doubt many would question if I am a gentleman. And at any rate I would think that my appearance alone would blunt any derisive thoughts on your own." gesturing at his notched greataxe and poorly scribed roses on his breastplate... though a flicker of sadness crosses his eyes as he dwells for but a moment on his own scrofulous features.
Though Stirgen is conscious to guide them through Hospice rather than along the rim and through Ankar-Te... he would prefer to leave that particular trouble back at the Ossuary.
Even -- or, perhaps, especially -- at the late hour, Hospice is a glittering hotbed of activity. In any other city in Varisia, a pair of well-armored half-orcs might expect to be given a wide berth on the streets, but in Kaer Maga, they are pedestrians and putative customers like anyone else. Some of the propositions and offers shouted to both of them from upper windows and well-lit doorways make Lilley blush a deeper green. Trying to pretend she is oblivious to their surroundings, she starts a nervous conversation, although she has nearly to shout to make herself heard over the hubbub. "Mr. Harg, are you a native of Kaer Maga?"
Stirgen is inured against the catcalls and cries from the wildlife of hospice, and indeed the speed at which he chose an efficacious route through the seething pustulant mass of sin might make Lilley wonder exactly how long he'd spent thereabouts... that and the fact that he waved a genial acknowledgement to some of the bouncers and ne'erdowells that they passed. Lilley's question provided a diversion most welcome from such implications "Not a native, milady - but I have lived here for some time. I was born a bastard in Belkzen, and pressed to serve." the word bastard is said as a statement of fact, rather than an epithet.
"I arrived on a caravan where my master thought to have tamed a mammoth... only to have that assumption challenged most violently when the beast stampeded and trampled him to death. I scrabbled and survived for some time before it was at the feet of an Elfin bard that I was born again and given purpose." his eyes grow momentarily misty with reminiscing as he guides Lilley around a pile of recently deposited vomit on the street "Following his radiant trail I arrived upon the doorstep of the Lycaeum and was permitted to study. I have been honing my meagre talents there for the last few years, before being asked by the Dean himself to attend to the Pharasmin and render assistance where I may." he is clearly proud and sees it as an honor to have been selected.
Bastarger made his farewells and returned to his family to speak of his adventures. He proudly showed his father the many dents upon his armour and notches on his blades before father and son worked with whetstones to preserve the blades and made minor repairs to his banded mail. Now having seen combat, Bastarger's understanding of smithing had only grown alongside with his obsession. His meeting with Rhen had given him an idea to modify a traditional Dwarven boulder helmet and make it small enough for his head and he bought the metal he would need to craft it.
As he made some progress on the helmet with his father assisting, he told his father the family's debt was not yet paid in full, but would likely be after tomorrow.
Bastarger made good progress on shaping the new helm, but it was not yet complete.
Her eyes flash with indignation at parts of the tale Valanthe tells of Esme, particularly the cleric's macabre rhapsody over the young woman asking to see the slab where her body would rot away. "May I ask you something?" she queries quietly when the story is finished. "If we had brought Svilennius back alive, what would his fate have been?"
"He would have been summarily put to death - his crimes against the Lady are well-documented and he had been warned upon his departure not to interfere with the church again," Valanthe says without hesitation or remorse.
As you walk through the street, you are, actually, met with a look of awe from some of the residents in Hospice - though not all. Some stare as you pass, and it looks as if they're pointing at or indicating some feature on your armor. But apart from that - and the various sexual propositions you receive - the trip is uneventful.
After a time, you arrive at the Lyceum in Oriat. You weave your way past the dorms, classrooms (from which you can hear sounds of activity even at this hour), meal halls and theaters to a small, but well-appointed courtyard. It is a literal maze of rosebushes and stone benches which surrounds a simple marble altar flanked by two fluted columns.
You aren't the first to arrive. Several others are here - a half-elf by herself, seemingly unaware of your presence as she hums a tune; a couple of halflings locked in an intimate embrace (equally unaware or unconcerned of your presence) and a pair of humans who appear to be collaborating on a poem or story.
As you wait for the Chorus to begin, several others arrive - many of who appear to have not slept all night - covered in paint, in exotic and bizarre costumes and in various stages of undress. However, as odd as the others might look - it is you who stand out the most in your full armor and battle gear.
Most of attendees recognize Stirgen, clalpping him on the back and asking what play or opera he is preparing for now to be dressed as such. Many approach Lilley, poking at her armor and wondering how such a realistic replica of the Iridian armor could be crafted.
All of the hubbub of the attendees is silenced as a singular chirp is heard. Almost immediately following, the sound of birds fills the air and the members of the Lyceum bow their heads in quiet solemnity or lift their arms in silent exultation.
For Lilley, it is a strange occurrence to hear something so natural and organic under the cold stone roof of Oriat, but the song is undoubtedly beautiful.
The chorus lasts for nearly an hour.
Examining the wand, you discover that it's a wand of disrupt undead.
Your arrival at the Wheel Unbroken is far more rewarding than it was last time. Rather than having to wait for hours, you are escorted to Mastargre's office almost immediately upon arrival.
He is waiting for you, pacing back and forth as you enter. He looks up with a broad smile. "Aha! You've returned - quickly and in one piece! Very good. Very good! Tell me, what did you learn during your time below the city? Did you uncover, perchance, anything of interest to the Circle?"
When you arrive home, you are smothered by hugs and kisses from your mother and sisters. Your father stands a few feet back, his face beaming in pride. As you show him the tell-tale signs of your time in the Ossuary, he grows even prouder. He was disappointed to hear that your task was not yet complete, but he nodded in understanding and set to work, helping you craft your new helm. He works with a vigor that you haven't seen in years - his tired, aching legs don't seem to be a factor today.
Upon arrival at the shrine, the scent of roses perfumes the air, and Lilley draws in a deep breath delightedly. She seems averse to the half-elf and, in fact, keeps her distance from all the other worshipers gathered when they arrive. Although she cannot avoid Stirgen's friends, she sits shyly, drawn into her armor and her eyes on the ground, when they approach; she has never heard of Iridian armor. She appears a little awed by both the warmth and the quantity of the greetings Stirgen is attracting, but before his crowd of admirers disperses enough for her to feel free to comment, the Chorus begins.
Lilley listens with bowed head and closed eyes. When she looks up at the end, her cheeks are streaked with tears. "With my eyes closed and the scent of the roses, I could have been back home. There was a rosebush under our window." She glances up at the stone roof above them. "But there's no sunlight. These birds never see the sun rise, but they sing its processional anyway. How do they know it still rises outside?"
Just now remembering the holy symbols that he had completely forgotten about, "Oh wait! I nearly forgot." He rummages through his pack and collects them all. "Here you go, Madam Valanthe. They are quite fantastic! And there was also an ancient mosaic of Pharasma herself upon the floor that dates back to the Thassilonian era. Which, might I add, resembles these holy symbols. I highly recommend seeing it. The holy symbols don't quite do it justice. Almost... but not quite."
At the temple to Shelyn, Stirgen takes a seat not on one of the pews - but on the floor of the garden. Armor clanking he rests his back against one of the seats and then cranes back his neck to rest his head staring up into the roof. As the chorus begins he closes his eyes for a few minutes, and a peaceful smile crosses his face. Benediction then seemingly completed he muscles himself off the ground to sit next to Lilley once more.
Slightly melancholically as Lilley muses "I do not know milady, but I am thankful for them. Regardless the chaos of the city outside or travails in our minds and hearts... they sing without hibition." staying silent and savoring the passing moments a while before adding "The shrine is open to all Lilley... any time you wish to forget yourself and remember, you are free to worship here."
Tongue rubbing the top of his mouth as he ponders how to delicately phrase his next query he ventures "I do not know your past milady... and though I would listen, I do not seek it to be told unless you will it." sighing as he continues head low "Your words have made me wonder... to hate the vel van die baster as you do..." touching his orc-tainted features lightly "...have you not worn them your whole life?"
"You have pain and anger, and have endured more than you should have in either of your lives... but I have faith" tapping an etched rose on his breastplate "and trust in you milady." taking Lilley's hand and giving a chaste kiss to the back of it. Standing and offering his arm once more "The morning is young though we have been awake most of the night... will you join me for a repast?"